The list of the most expensive paintings has always remained inconclusive in every era. However, for the art collectors, these highly-valued masterpieces of the world hold utmost interest for more reasons than one. Their fascinating historical accounts, details of artists’ personal lives, and unravelled mysteries surrounding the provenance and ownership of these art works make them even more intriguing.
The article was originally written by Asra Shaheen for Bidsquare publication.
The 19th century witnessed the emergence of commercial art galleries. Subsequently, during the 1900s, the rich bought paintings and objet d’art that recreated the old-world charm. International art dealers played a key role in the economics of art during this period. Joseph Duveen, known as the most influential figure of his time, was one of them. He was good at persuading American millionaires into buying paintings that were reminiscent of Britain’s privileged class. Duveen paid record-breaking wholesale prices for Lawrence’s “Pinkie” and Romney’s “The Misses Beckford” before he resold them.
However, the most famous paintings of the world will always remain priceless. The works of old masters prior to 1800s are mostly owned by museums for public viewing. According to the Guinness World Records, the world-renowned masterpiece Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci has the highest ever insurance value. Housed at the Louvre in Paris, its value was assessed at US$100 million in 1962, which is approximately around US$860 million in 2020, taking into account inflation rates.
Over the ages, various other art works have made it to the list of the most expensive paintings. Given below are some of them.
The evocative oil-on-panel painting is a half-length image of Christ. Dressed in Renaissance-time garb, he is depicted as Savior of the World. Christ’s gaze is fixed at the viewer and he holds a translucent crystal sphere in his left hand and has his right hand fingers crossed to offer benediction.
Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O) by Pablo Picasso –
Picasso’s paintings are always known for smashing records at auctions and Les Femmes d’Alger (Version O)by the Spanish artist does just that. Les Femmes d’Alger (Women of Algiers) is a series of 15 paintings and drawings created during 1954–1955. The series was a tribute to Eugène Delacroix, who Picasso deeply admired. Victor and Sally Ganz from Paris bought the entire series for $212,500 in June 1956.
“Version O” (1955) is the concluding painting in the series and was sold for US$31.9 million in 1997 at Christie’s in New York. Libby Howie, a British art dealer, bought it for an unrevealed Saudi Arabian collector. In May 2015, “Version O” was auctioned at Christie’s in New York once again. It was sold for a whopping US$179.4 million to Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former Qatari prime minister.
With a riot of colors, this painting makes a strong reference to Cubism. The flattened perspectives were path-breaking in creating an innovative style that was a characteristic of Picasso’s oeuvre.
The article was originally written by Asra Shaheen for Bidsquare publication. Click this link to read the full article. Bidsquare
